DINING GUIDE
KEY
B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner SB Sunday Brunch Banquet Facilities Entertainment Cocktails Beer and Wine Vegetarian
Sanibel BLUE GIRAFFE
Casual Excellence. After a relaxing day on the beach or browsing Sanibel’s numerous shops, it’s time to treat yourself to some delicious, island-inspired food. Sit at hand-painted tables inside, or enjoy the garden atmosphere of Periwinkle Place and sample our Monterey Chicken Panini or Shrimp ‘n Chips for lunch, or come for dinner and try the Pina-colada Coconut Mahi―truly a treat! Our breakfast menu offers a tempting variety of omelets and pancakes, or you can try Eggs Nantua: two poached eggs on top of a crispy crab cake, topped with Hollandaise sauce. Come see why the locals love us! BLD
2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, bluegiraffesanibel.com
DOC FORD’S SANIBEL RUM BAR & GRILLE
Novel Cuisine. Local restaurant folk joined with Southwest Florida novelist Randy Wayne White to develop a restaurant based on a fictional character, and it’s a best-seller! The menu offers sandwiches, salads and entrees. Don’t skip the mojito. LD
2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel, 239-472-8311, docfordssanibel.com
THE DUNES
Not a Member? Not a Problem! The menu is classic with an inspired twist. Try the signature lump crab bisque, the Eastern, Western or Southern Burger, crisp empanadas with pulled beef or the seared cowboy steak. LD
949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel, 239-472-3355, dunesgolfsanibel.com
THE ISLAND COW
Bovine Bounty. With a massive menu that features everything from omelets to fish to pasta, this is no beef joint, despite the cow references. The fish dinners are a good choice, unless it’s breakfast, when you might consider the fish omelets. Check out the new full bar, offering tropical cocktails and signature drinks, including their homemade White Mango Sangria! BLD
2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0606, sanibelislandcow.com
ISLAND PIZZA
A Slice of Paradise. A tasty tradition on the island for more than 20 years. Pizza just the way you want it, with your choice of five crust options. Pasta, calzone and salad are also popular. You might try calamari or bruschetta for an appetizer, and don’t miss the daily happy hour. LD
1619 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1581, islandpizza.net
CRAB CAKES
Serves 4
Wet mix
1 cup heavy cream 3 eggs, 2 yolks and 1 whole 1 tablespoon Dijon 2 teaspoons Old Bay ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
Dry mix
2 slices white bread (no crust), cut into cubes 1 pound lump crab, drained ½ bunch cilantro, chopped fine ½ cup green onions
Cook heavy cream on medium high to reduce by half and let cool. Add remaining wet ingredients. Blend with dry mix, adding crab last.
Mango salsa
2 mangos, diced ¼ red onion, diced ¼ red pepper, diced ½ jalapeno, diced 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped ¼ cup oasis mango ¼ tablespoon cumin 2 teaspoon Cholula hot sauce Salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients well
Cooking and prep
Form crab mix into 4 patties and cook in oil-coated skillet for 2 minutes each side or until golden brown, then place in 350-degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes until internal temp is at least 145 degrees. Spoon desired amount of mango salsa over cakes. Enjoy.
2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-2525, bluegiraffesanibel.com
THE JACARANDA
Local Legend. It’s a romantic, intimate dinner house; a relaxed, open-air gathering place and an energetic nightspot, all in one. Food ranges from splendid seafood inside to tasty burgers and sandwiches in the lounge, where there’s live entertainment nightly.
1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1771, jacarandaonsanibel.com
LAZY FLAMINGO
Cold Beer, Raw Bar. Come try the plumpest raw oysters, steaming hot-spiced peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh grouper and incendiary Dead Parrot Wings. The regular hot buffalo wings are your best bet. LD
Four locations: 6520-C Pine Ave., Sanibel, 239-472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6939; 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-476-9000; and waterfront at 16501-B Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, 239-283-5959, lazyflamingo.com
LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ
The World’s Best Breakfast. Residents and visitors have been enjoying this Sanibel classic for six decades, and it’s easy to see why. Start your day with an Ocean Frittata: seasoned shrimp, scallops and krabmeat, sautéed with broccoli and fresh mushrooms and topped with an artichoke heart and our creamy Alfredo sauce as you view the pictures of our historic lighthouse that line the walls. Call- ahead seating is available. BL
362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0303, lighthousecafe.com
MATZALUNA
Well-Smoked Italian. The Five Cheese with Gorgonzola, ricotta, spinach and artichoke hearts is just one of the popular wood-fired pizzas. Fresh pastas, chicken, seafood and veal round out the menu.
1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1998, matzaluna.net
THE NORMANDIE SEASIDE CAFÉ AT WEST WIND
Indulge Yourself. Bananaberry French Toast or an Italian Omelet for breakfast? W e offer that and much more, including a Florida fruit bowl or Veggie Omelet, ser ved with Columbian coffee or a choice of artisan whole- leaf teas. Relax in our old- world atmosphere as you enjoy a Bacon W rapped Chicken Roulade or Normandie Snapper for dinner, paired with the perfect wine from our extensive list. Check out our Sunset Menu